Means for strengthening frames



Oct. 24, 19,39.

H. M. EPSTEIN MEANS FOR STRENGTHENING FRAMES Filed July 7, 1958 lNVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 24, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I MEANS FOR STRENGTHENING FRAMES I Y v Harry M. Epstein, New York, N. Y.

` Application July 7, 1938, Serial No. 217,916

2 Claims.

My invention relates particularly to lmeans for strengthening frames, as, for example, household furniture, etc.

The object of my invention is to provide an apparatus by rmeans `of which the said frames may be permanently strengthened and prevented from loosening or coming apart under heavy duty. A further object is to provide a unique anchoring means in the different members of the frames, which are permanently contained therein so as to prevent loosening or loss of the anchoring members. Another purpose is to permanently imbed the anchoring means Within each of the frame members by forming a passageway in the latter in which the anchoring means is fastened to avoid removal thereof, the anchoring means being so constructed as to cover the outer end of the passageway Without requiring the refinishing of the latter. Another object is to provide an anchoring means in the form of an angularly headed rod which is inserted in an opening in the frame on which a locking means is then placed, and thereafter bent into an angular position so as to be rendered non-removable, the said locking means being adapted to be placed over the bent end after receiving the end of a connecting means connected to a similar locking means in the frame. The said locking means is furthermore constructed so that when the connecting means is tightened in place the angularity of the bent end of the anchoring means is adapted to prevent withdrawal of the locking means towards the head by reason of the angularity of the same and said locking means is adapted to be constricted towards the bend of the anchoring means to prevent the Withdrawal of the locking means towards the said bent end. In other Words, my invention is so constructed as to prevent any displacement or change in the position of the free end of the headed anchoring means when the connecting means has been tightened in place. Further objects are to provide a construction of the above character at a minimum cost of construction.

While my invention is capable of being carried out in many different ways, for the purpose of illustration I have shown only certain ways of carrying out the same in the accompanying drawing, in which- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a frame provided with my invention for strengthening same;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section of one of the frame members comprised therein;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of one of the anchoring devices contained therein;

Fig. 4 is a plan View showing the saddle mem-v bers and connecting bolt for holding the chains together;

Fig. 5 is an elevation of a modied form of lock; and

Fig. 6 is an elevation of still another modied form of lock than can be used.

Referring to the construction shownv in Figs. lo 1 to 4, I have shown a frame, which may be made of Wood, for example, of a chair having four legs I, 2, 3 and 4, connected by horizontal m-embers 5, E, 'I and 8. In each of the legs I, 2, 3 and 4 there is provided a diagonally directed passageway 9 which may be bored through the same from the outer corner but Without necessitating refinishing of the edge of the passageway because the same is covered by a right-angle head I 0 of a rod-shaped anchoring means II which passes through the passageway 9 to the inside of the frame. After the rod II has been inserted through the passageway 9 an elongated annular lock Ila having an elongated aperture is placed over the rod with a right-angle flanged side IIb towards the head I0 and a flat body portion IIc towards the free end of the rod I I and while the rod is kept straight throughout its length the end of the rod II is turned upwardly and reversely and preferably at a slight angle to the main body of the rod, by any suitable tool or tools until the bent end forms a hook I4 which will enter the lock IIa. Or, instead, a lock I2 may be used, comprised of at metal having an elongated aperture with a conformation such as to provide a beveled edge I2a at one end to bite into the rod II, or, instead, a lock I3 may be used of flat metal having an elongated aperture with an internal conformation such as to provide an angular end I3a to bite into the metal of the rod II. In this way the portion of the rod Il adjacent to the leg I will be maintained straight, whereas the proper angularity can be given to the end of the rod which permanently anchors the rod within the leg I but at the same time maintains a straight portion of the anchoring .means adjacent to the leg I which permits the anchoring means to be inverted by first unseating the head I 0, if desired, according to the space allowed in the frame or article of furniture in the final position for fastening the strengthened framework in place. The end of the rod thus provides a permanent hook I4 in each of the legs I, 2, 3 and 4. The said hooks in the legs I and 4 then receive the two ends of a chain I8, the middle portion of which is supported on a grooved saddle member I9. Likewise, the two ends of a double-link chain 20 are received on the hooks I4 of the legs 2 and 3 and this chain 20 passes over a similar saddle member 2|. The two saddle members I 9 and 2| are fastened together by means of a screw-threaded bolt 22 having nuts 23 and 24 thereon so that by th-e screwing up of the bolt 22, any desired amount of tension can be placed on the frame members and legs I, 2, 3 and 4, to hold them permanently in their relative positions. Over the bolt 22 and between the saddles I9 and 2| there is a thread protecting spring 25 which extends within the links of the chains. I8 to prevent the thread from being damaged thereby. 'Ihe locks IIa or I2 or I3 are then placed over the ends of the hooks I4 alfter the chains 20 are connected together but before tension is placed on them by the nut- 23.' `The tension is then applied to the chains 20l by the nut 23 until the desired tension is attained. As will be seen in Fig. 4, the double-link 0f the chain is of just suflicient length to permit the bolt 22 to pass through one of the links while the other end of the double-link ends at the extreme end of the saddle I9 or 20, whereas the adjacent double link of the same size as the other double links extends to the point where the middle of the double link is at the oth-er end of the saddle I9 or 20 and at that point is bent by the tension to aid in holding the fastening device in a rigid boxi-like clamping action. This results in bending the free ends of the hooks I4 outwardly until they are tight within the locks IIaor I2 or I3 so that the latter can no longer be removed in the direction of the heads I0. In the case of the lock I2 the knife-edge |2a, or in the case of the lock I3 the angular-edge` |3a, will bite into the rod II to hold the lock in place. In the case of the lock IIa, the centers of the flat body portions |Ic are then bent Aor pinched to produce a conformation with the opposite portions bent towards each other in the lock IIa so as to prevent the movement of the locks away from the heads I0. In this way the frame is maintained permanently in its original and proper position and there is no possibility of the anchoring means becoming displaced or loose or mislaid, nor is there any tendency for the anchoring means to turn in its socket in the frame members, which would result in damage to the iinish of. the furniture by the head of the anchoring means. Besides, the sameanchoring element can be used as applied to the strengthening of frames of different sizes as the end of the resulting anchoring means is in the form of a hook formed thereon in any position suitedA to the particular frame.

While I have described my invention above in detail I wish it to be understood that many changes may be made therein Without departing in which the body portion and free end are carried with the free end locked in position by a conformation of said aperture binding said free end and fastening the lock in xed position on the uniform diameter hook.

2. An anchoring means comprising a hook of substantially uniform diam-eter having a headed body portion and a free end bent toward said head, adapted to receive a connecting means within the hook, and a lock having an aperture, in which the body portion and free end are carried with the free end locked in position by an angular biting conformation of said aperture binding said free end and fastening the lock in xed position on the uniform diameter hook.

. HARRY M. EPSTEYIN. 

